Bill Nelson

Clarence William Nelson

Bill Nelson is a Democratic U.S. senator elected in 2000. He is serving his third term.

Nelson has spent most of his life in politics, serving three terms in the Florida House, six terms in the U.S. House and six years as insurance commissioner. He served in the U.S. Army and as an astronaut on a space shuttle flight.

Nelson was born in Miami on Sept. 29, 1942. He graduated from Melbourne High School and attended the University of Florida. He received a bachelor’s degree from Yale University and a law degree from the University of Virginia. He and his wife, Grace Cavert, have two children.

Sen. Bill Nelson and former Orlando police chief Val Demings will chair an effort to evaluate the shortcomings of the Florida Democratic Party, which is further in the tank following last week's election.

WASHINGTON — Florida lawmakers say they support increased military action against Islamic militants but want President Barack Obama tonight to clearly lay out a plan to deal with the complex and potentially explosive step of moving into Syria.

The end of qualifying week in Florida officially closes out any chance Sen. Bill Nelson would run for governor. He never said he would but he always left wiggle room and people around him were exploring the possibility in more than a casual way.

WASHINGTON — Three-term U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson isn't on the ballot in November but the stakes are higher than his cakewalk 2012 re-election campaign: If Republicans take Senate control — a distinct possibility — Nelson will be denied a chance to chair the Commerce Committee.

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About the Bill Nelson page

Bill Nelson represents Florida in Congress as a Democratic U.S. senator from Miami. This page features a information and stories about Bill Nelson related to his career in public service and his time as an astronaut. This page also contains links to Bill Nelson's official web pages, Twitter account and Politifact file.